My son rowan is 10 months but might change pronunciation. How do you say it?

[clothaddict]

My son rowan is 10 months. I love his name. I pronounce it like row (as in cow)-an. I'm Scottish and that's just the way I've always said this name. But when I introduce him must say majority people say roe-an (rhyme with row boat). I also like this pronunciation and the more time goes on wonder if should just say it this way. A few folk have mentioned the roe-an way is masculine, row-an feminine?? I don't want my child who I have given a unisex name a different pronunciation too.

Do you think I can/ should change how I say it?! I know need do it now before poor blighter confused.

I know it's up to us how we say it and all will follow but my thinking is more folk say roe-an, might be more male and I like it that way equally! Whether I can change it in my head I don't know though. I automatically say row (as in cow).

I know a couple of Scottish (north of Inverness, if that helps) female Rowans (cow-an). I also pronounce the tree and berries rowan (cowan). The only Rowans (Roe-an) that I know of are Rowan Atkinson and Rowan Williams (archbishop). I don't know if they pronounce it that way cause they are English or because it is male.

If you want to change it, and like the pronouncation, then try it for a day/week at home and see what it's like. You'll soon decide which one you prefer. Once you've decided then just correct people, they will soon pick it up!

I would say it roe-an (for either boy or girl), and never heard of any other way of pronouncing - I'm not Scottish either though!

Well see the thing is I always said rowan tree and rowan Atkinson rhyming with cow. And cow like now not coo!

Its not just changing to fit with others but suddenly I wonder if roe-an just is better and more obviously male.

Thanks Tabulah :) - bit of a shame that it's too late to change the spelling, but I don't like the short a pronunciation. Don't mind the short 'a' version, but prefer the 'loch' version.

If you like both pronunciations, then call him whatever you like, and accept that others might use the other pronunciation. Best of both worlds then!

I will play about with it this week. Not sure why suddenly at 10 months it's on my mind to change?

Yes maybe best both then! And not such problem.

The thing is my partner wasn't so keen using name as could be boy/ girl. 2 pronunciations too. Poor wee boy!!

My DD is Rowan, the sound is Roe -an.
At last count we know 6 Rowans in the UK, all girls, all pronounced the same.
3 of them are Rowan Elizabeth.

My Scots health visitor used to say Row- as in Cow-an, to my great surprise, as I first heard the name in Scotland, where I played with a Rowan (pronounced Roe-an.)

I know a male Rohan, pronounced the same as in Atkinson.

There is a school called Rowan Preparatory School near us and it is pronounced ROW (as in COW) an.

People will accept whichever pronounciation you prefer.

roe.
all rowans i know are boys,mostly in 30's.1 lady in her 40's.all pronounced the same.

Another scot rhyming with cow here lovely name, keep it as it is!

I think we can conclude that there is no consistency :)

Ok thanks very much ladies. I feel better. Probably majority row boat but Scottish have variation on the cow type too. Whatever I go with I'm glad I asked!!

I think in my head it's always row like cow and I'll always automatically say it that way despite myself.

Thanks for help.

I think that the pronounciation of Rowan is generally determined by the accent of the person speaking rather than the gender of the baby.

im scottish OP and i say row (cow) - an :) proper wee boys name that. roe-an is just to try hard IMHO whereas row(cow)an slips easily off the tongue

It's predominantly a Scottish/English pronuniciation thing.

It's exactly the same as the Bowie/Bowie debate. Exactly hte same.

Row the boat here, and I am Scottish.

We have a little Rowan in school pronounced Row (as in cow) an. I like it. Sounds more 'substantial' imo.

I would say Roe an but if was told someones name was Row (cow) an then I would say it like that! leave it as it is if thats how you prefer it. :)

I would assume Row (cow) an. I know the Archbishop of Canterbury is Roe-an, but I've always pronounced Rowan Atkinson as Row (cow) an. (I'm Scottish).

Also if I heard the name Row (cow) an, I'd know how to spell it, but if I heard Roe-an, I wouldn't know whether it was Rowan or Rohan.

the only 'real life' Rowen I've ever met is DP's sister (this spelling), and she pronounces it roe-an. In fact, her nickname amongst her friends is 'Boats,' because of rowing boats. I'd never heard of the cow pronounciation before coming on mumsnet (and I'm a bit of a name nerd, been reading name books and visiting websites for years before I was even considering ttc!).

nice name id say it roe-an.dont change it.
knew a male and parents pronounced it Roe-an
a female was row-an.row as in cow

I know quite a few and they are all Roe-un.

roe - un